Auckland trainers Frank and Craig Ritchie will be following a tried and proven formula when promising mare Nobodywantsme attempts to complete the Anniversary-Thorndon double at Trentham over the next week.
The British Banker mare tackles the $30,000 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) today as a class four horse and needs to finish in the first three to ensure a start in the group one $130,000 Thorndon Handicap (1600m) a week later.
However, the Ritchies achieved the feat four years ago with another mare Winning Wave, who won both races after starting the carnival as the winner of four races.
The records of both horses are remarkably similar. Winning Wave came to Trentham after winning class two and three races at the Auckland Cup carnival.
Nobodywantsme won similar races at Ellerslie on December 2 and 17 before running third in a fillies' and mares' race at Ellerslie on January 1.
But her last three runs have been over 1400m whereas Winning Wave's two wins were both over 1600m.
"She's not in Winning Wave's class yet but we'll wait and see," Frank Ritchie said.
"She's a good little mare and she was very impressive when she won at Ellerslie two starts back. She stumbled at the start and still won with a bit of authority.
"She was fractionally disappointing last start but she over-raced and she might have been a bit fresh.
"If she goes well enough in the Anniversary, she can run in the Thorndon. Otherwise we will look at the Douro Cup."
Grant Cooksley has ridden Nobodywantsme at her last three starts but he has an engagement in Sydney on Saturday. He has been replaced by Gary Grylls.
The Ritchies will also start Bluebird The Word in today's group three $50,000 weight-for-age Trentham Stakes (2400m) and Madhuri Dixit in the group one $130,000 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) on Monday.
Madhuri Dixit clinched her trip south by winning the Newmarket Handicap on Boxing Day.
- NZPA
Racing: Ritchies tread familiar path
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